MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – An unidentified unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was spotted hovering over Somalia’s presidential palace in Mogadishu on Friday, sparking widespread concerns that it could be armed with explosives targeting the heavily fortified compound. Guards at the site responded by opening fire with anti-aircraft weapons, Caasimada Online news website reported.
Videos circulating on social media showed UAV aircraft shining powerful spotlights on the palace at night, repeatedly hovering over the area before departing unharmed after the guards activated their air defenses.
The Somali government has yet to issue a statement on the incident, which follows a United Nations warning last year urging heightened vigilance among its personnel against the potential use of explosive drones by Al-Shabaab at its headquarters. This concern has been echoed by other security experts monitoring the situation.
